Tetradrachm Ancient Silver

Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VIII. (109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. NGC Choice XF


Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VIII. (109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. NGC Choice XF
Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VIII. (109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. NGC Choice XF
Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VIII. (109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. NGC Choice XF

Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VIII. (109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. NGC Choice XF    Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VIII. (109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. NGC Choice XF
(109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. Mint Period: 115/114 BC (SE 198) Reference: SC 2323.5a, HGC 9/1196e, Zeno 271223. Certified and graded by NGC as Choice XF! Weight: 16.49gm Diameter: 31mm Material: Silver. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochus VIII "Gryphus" hook-nose! Reverse: Zeus Ouranios, draped, standing left, holding star and scepter. Two monograms to outer left, all within laurel wreath.

S / NMW Exergue: H9P. (hook-nose), was crowned as ruler of the Greek Seleucid kingdom in 125 BC.

He was the son of Demetrius II Nicator and Cleopatra Thea. The child Antiochus Epiphanes, who is known from coins, was deposed-but not killed-when Demetrius II was restored in 129 BC. Antiochus Grypus was crowned as a teenager in 125 BC after his mother Cleopatra Thea had killed his elder brother Seleucus V Philometor, ruling jointly with her. After Antiochus defeated usurper Alexander II Zabinas in 123 BC his mother tried to poison him with wine, but the suspicious king forced her to drink the cup herself.

(The story may have been inspired by the fact that Grypus was interested in toxicology; some poems about poisonous herbs believed to have been written by him are quoted by the famous physician Galen). Despite political shortcomings, Grypus was a popular king. His ugly, lazy appearance on coins (common among the last Seleucids), together with stories of his lavish banquets, made posterity believe his dynasty was degenerated and decadent.

This was however a conscious image, an invocation of the Hellenistic idea. Meaning good life, which the last Seleucids strove to be associated with, as opposed to the exhausting civil wars and feuds which troubled their reigns in reality. A story of his luxurious parties claims he sent food home with guests who attended banquets, complete with a camel as beast of burden, as well as a with attendant to carry the guest himself. This should certainly have caused some strain on the already depleted treasury. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Coins: Ancient\Greek (450 BC-100 AD)".

The seller is "coinworldtv" and is located in this country: AT. This item can be shipped worldwide.

  1. Cleaned/Uncleaned: Uncleaned
  2. Modified Item: No
  3. Country/Region of Manufacture: Greece
  4. Certification Number: 5784858-004
  5. Certification: NGC
  6. Date: 115/114 BC
  7. Grade: Choice XF!

  8. Year: 115/114 BC
  9. Composition: Silver
  10. Denomination: Tetradrachm
  11. KM Number: See detailed desription section for full data!


    Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VIII. (109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. NGC Choice XF    Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VIII. (109-75 BC) AR Tetradrachm Coin. NGC Choice XF